SPIRIT BARRELS
MADE FROM
CHESTNUT

Chestnut wood (Castanea sativa) – also known as sweet chestnut – is a rare but increasingly valued wood for the aging of spirits. Traditionally used in Southern Europe for wine and fruit brandy maturation, chestnut barrels are now gaining popularity in modern distilling due to their complex, robust flavor profile.

Chestnut casks enable faster maturation, impart strong tannins, and deliver a distinctively rustic character – ideal for distilleries seeking depth, personality, and bold flavor.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHESTNUT

WOODPOROUS STRUCTURE
Chestnut wood is more porous than oak, allowing for faster aroma and tannin exchange with the spirit. This makes it perfect for shorter maturation periods and results in a more intense wood influence.

HIGH TANNIN CONTENT
Chestnut has a higher tannin level than oak, contributing to a firm structure and slightly astringent, bold flavor notes.

LOW VANILLIN CONTENT
Unlike oak, chestnut releases only small amounts of vanillin. The result is a less sweet, yet more earthy, nutty, and spicy flavor profile.

FLAVOR PROFILE – COMPLEX, POWERFUL & LAYERED
Chestnut barrels offer a multi-dimensional, expressive aroma, balancing wood, fruit, spice, and nuttiness:

I Woody & earthy: Wet wood, forest floor, bark
I Fruity: Dried figs, plums, cherries, pears
I Spicy: Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, black pepper
I Nutty: Chestnuts, hazelnuts, walnutsSweet notes: Hints of caramel, roasted sugar, mild toffee

TOASTING & MATURATION – MANAGING FLAVOR DEPTH

FAST MATURATION
Thanks to their open grain, chestnut barrels accelerate flavor extraction, making them ideal for short to medium aging. Over time, tannin intensity increases.

TOASTING LEVELS
I Light toast: Highlights fruit and nut character
I Medium toast: Emphasizes spice and toffee notes
I Heavy toast: Develops roasted flavors like cocoa, coffee, and dark chocolate

COMPARISON WITH OTHER BARREL WOODS
I Chestnut vs. American Oak: Less sweet and vanillic, but bolder, spicier, and more earthy
I Chestnut vs. European Oak: Higher tannin impact, with richer fruit and nut complexity
I Chestnut vs. Acacia: Acacia is lighter, floral, and fruity – chestnut is heavier, rustic, and structured

APPLICATIONS – USING CHESTNUT FOR SPIRIT AGING
Chestnut barrels are ideal for producers looking to develop expressive, distinctive spirit profiles:

I Brandy: Deepens fruit notes and enhances nutty complexity
I Whisky: Adds bold wood tones and regional character – perfect for creative expressions
I Rum: Accentuates fruity-spicy notes, especially in dark or aged rumsLiqueurs: Intensifies spice and fruit elements in both herbal and fruit liqueurs

WHY CHESTNUT IS THE CHOICE FOR BOLD SPIRITS
Chestnut barrels deliver a bold, earthy, and nut-forward flavor that brings structure, depth, and rustic elegance to your spirit. With their fast maturation, layered aromatics, and distinctive wood signature, they’re an excellent choice for distilleries aiming for originality, complexity, and sensory richness.

PRODUCTION
France/Italy/Slovenia/Spain

WOOD
France/Slovenia/Hungary

SIZES
40 l - 600 l

TOASTING
Light/Medium/Medium+/Heavy

CHARRING
1 - 3

In addition to our premium chestnut barrels for spirits, OAKBARRELS.SHOP offers a wide selection of oak and specialty wood barrels. These alternatives provide countless options to customize the flavor profile of your distillates. Each wood type contributes its own unique sensory characteristics – from floral and spicy to richly exotic.

OUR SELECTION OF OAK AND SPECIALTY WOOD BARRELS
Discover our curated alternatives to chestnut barrels:

I French Limousin Oak – fine-grained, elegant, with balanced tannins and refined spice
I American White Oak – sweet-vanilla notes with hints of coconut and toffee
I Carpathian Oak – fruity and spicy with a subtle mineral character
I Spanish Oak – bold, sweet-spicy, perfect for intense maturation
I Hungarian Oak – aromatic, slightly smoky, with robust body
I Japanese Mizunara Oak – exotic and floral with coconut and sandalwood aromas
I Danish Oak – foresty, earthy, with distinctive Nordic spice
I Acacia (Robinia) – floral, fruity, with mild sweetness
I Ash – crisp, clean, with light spice and subtle wood tones
I Wild Cherry – almond-like, floral, with soft fruit sweetness
I Mulberry – intensely fruity, sweet, and exotically aromatic

These barrels are ideal for aging whisky, brandy, rum, cognac, liqueurs, or fruit spirits, depending on the desired flavor profile – from light and floral to bold and complex.

NEW BOURBON BARRELS FROM THE USA
Exclusively available at OAKBARRELS.SHOP: brand-new Bourbon barrels made from American white oak, crafted by the renowned Speyside Bourbon Cooperage (Kentucky, USA). These heavily charred barrels develop classic Bourbon flavors like vanilla, caramel, and coconut – perfect for first-fill maturation.

USED BARRELS WITH CHARACTER
In our used barrels category, you’ll find a wide variety of pre-seasoned oak casks, previously filled with red wine, white wine, port, dessert wine, or spirits. These barrels add complexity, secondary aromas, and depth to your spirits – ideal for finishing or layering your flavor profile.

THE RIGHT BARREL FOR EVERY FLAVOR VISION
At OAKBARRELS.SHOP, we offer more than just chestnut barrels – discover a full range of alternative barrel woods to give your spirits a unique, customized maturation journey. From traditional to experimental, you’ll find the perfect wood for your craft.